Dravid third in ICC Test rankings

Last updated on: March 15, 2006 00:43 IST

India are poised to surpass England as the No. 2 team, while match-winning performers Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble moved up the batting charts in the ICC Test rankings after the nine-wicket victory over England at Mohali on Monday.

Dravid's double of 95 and 42 not out, which played a key role in his side's success in the second cricket Test, lifted him three spots and put him behind Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis in the latest rankings for Test batsmen, announced on Tuesday.

Sachin Tendulkar slipped three places, to 15th, after his solitary innings of four at Mohali, while Virender Sehwag, whose unbeaten 76 secured his side's victory on Monday, remained in 10th place.

Kumble is now the leading Indian bowler after his 9-146, including the record 500th wicket, eased him up one place to 12th and saw him overtake Irfan Pathan.

The left-arm fast bowler has slipped two positions to 13th but he has strengthened his hold on fourth spot in the all-rounder's list and is now within striking distance of South Africa's Shaun Pollock.

For England, the Mohali defeat means they have to win the final Test to retain their position as the second-placed side in the ICC Test Championship table and anything less than victory will see India overtake them.

Their players are also under pressure in the player rankings.

A twin failure for Andrew Strauss in Mohali has seen him slip four places to 21st in the batting list and that means England's only representative in the top 20 is the unavailable Marcus Trescothick, in ninth position.

Kevin Pietersen, who scored a first-innings half-century in the Test loss, holds firm in 24th spot, while acting captain Andrew Flintoff is up six places to 26th after a double of 70 and 51 in a losing cause.

Ian Bell is up seven spots to 44th, his highest career ranking to date.

Flintoff is also on his way up in the bowling list, rising one place to seventh position in the LG ICC Player Rankings for bowlers after taking four wickets in Mohali, and although he remains in second spot in the all-rounder's table, he has also picked up rating points in his quest to overhaul Jacques Kallis.